Posture support vest

ABSTRACT

A posture support vest, including a bodysuit having an elastic waistband for slimming the abdomen, elastic shoulder straps for helping to keep the shoulders and back straight, and a bottom strap to prevent the waistband from slipping upward. The bottom strap also allows the user to maintain proper vertical tension in the back of the garment. Also included is a method for correcting and maintaining good posture.

Applicant claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/482,868filed May 5, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to corrective garments for helping individuals toachieve and maintain good posture.

BACKGROUND

Good posture makes a good impression. Most people respect and admireindividuals who keep their shoulders back and their spine straight.Also, the many health benefits of good posture have been provenscientifically, by several medical disciplines, including osteopathy,podiatry, chiropractic medicine, and physical therapy. A lifelong habitof good posture can add several years to your life.

Many prior corrective vests have been promoted, consisting primarily ofwaistbands and shoulder straps. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 7,842,000.Most of the prior vests have been unpopular and relatively ineffective.The waistbands tend to move (or “ride”) upward on the body, whichloosens or eliminates the tension intended for shoulder support. If thewaistband is tightened enough to prevent riding, it becomesuncomfortable. Some prior designs have caused unsightly bumps and ridgesto show through the outer clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides a one-piece garment for posturesupport, comprising a bodysuit having a band that wraps around theabdomen, including one or more elastic segments for holding and firmingthe waistline. Shoulder straps extending from the upper body portionalso include one or more elastic segments for placing tension to keepthe shoulders back. In order to prevent the abdominal band from slippingupward, a bottom strap or band is provided, as an extension from thelower rear of the bodysuit, to be placed between the user's legs, andconnected to the lower front of the waist band. The bottom strap ispreferably connectable to the waist band at several different levels,which provides the strap with adjustable length, in order to maintainproper vertical tension in the back of the garment. This allows the userto select an adjustable amount of tension in the back, so the shoulderstraps will place more or less pressure on the shoulders, as desired.Some users will prefer constant pressure on the shoulders, while othersmay want little or no pressure, until their shoulders begin to slumpforward.

All non-elastic parts of the garment are preferably made of lightweight,sturdy fabric, selected to create sleek, slim lines that do not showthrough the outer clothing. The choice of fabric is a matter of personalpreference, including cotton, rayon, linen, and many other fabrics, bothnatural and synthetic. The shoulder straps may have adjustable length,provided by multiple levels of fasteners.

The waistband is adjustable, to accommodate large and small waistlines.A one-piece garment is preferable, for convenience, but of course thegarment can be divided into two or more pieces, without departing fromthe concept and purpose of the invention.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mannequin wearing the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the mannequin wearing the garment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXAMPLE

As shown in FIG. 1, the garment includes a body portion 11, an elasticwaistband 12, hooks 13, Waist band extension 14 having plural rows ofloops connectable with hooks 13, and tab 15 having plural rows of loopsconnectable with bottom strap 16 by hooks on extension 17. Elasticshoulder straps 18 extend from the upper end of body 11, and areconnected at the other end to an intermediate location at each side ofbody 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the garment of FIG. 1 is fitted on a mannequin byplacing straps 18 over the shoulders, by wrapping waistband 12 aroundthe abdomen, and by connecting hooks 13 with loops provided on extension14. Bottom strap 16 is placed between the legs, and connected to tab 15by inserting hooks on 17 into loops provided on tab 15.

The garment is readily adaptable to a variety of body shapes and sizes.It is also adaptable to individuals having more or less severe postureproblems. For example, stronger elastic in the waist band is selectedfor those who need more correction in the abdomen. Stronger elastic inthe shoulder straps is selected for those who need more correction inthe shoulders. In the example shown, the elastic portion of the waistband measures 10″ long and 6″ wide. Five pounds of force is required tostretch the length by one inch. But stronger or weaker elastic may beselected, within a preferred range of 3 to 8 pounds to stretch the bandone inch.

As shown in FIG. 3, the opposite side of the garment reveals loops 19 onextension 14, and multiple rows of hooks on tab 15. The other parts andnumbers are the same as in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, bottom strap 16loops between the legs and fastens in the front to tab 15 (FIG. 1) whereit can be adjusted to provide more or less tension in the back, and inshoulder straps 18. Hooks and loops have been selected as fasteners forthe waist band, and for the bottom strap, but other fasteners, such asVelcro and snaps are also suitable. One elastic segment has beenselected for the waist band, and one for each shoulder strap. But two ormore elastic segments are also suitable.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for correcting andmaintaining good posture, including the step of wearing the garment ofthe invention; the step of adjusting the length of the waist band; andthe step of adjusting the length of the bottom strap to provide thedesired amount of tension in the shoulder straps.

1. A garment for improving posture, comprising a body portion that includes an elastic abdominal band for firming the waistline; elastic shoulder straps for placing tension on the shoulders; and a bottom portion to be located between the user's legs, said bottom portion connected to the front and rear of the body portion, to prevent the abdominal band from moving upward.
 2. A garment as in claim 1, wherein said abdominal band includes at least two elastic segments.
 3. A garment as in claim 1, wherein each shoulder strap includes at least two elastic segments.
 4. A garment as in claim 1, wherein said bottom portion is a lower extension at the rear of the body portion, and connectable to the front of the body portion.
 5. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the length of said bottom portion is adjustable.
 6. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the length of each shoulder strap is adjustable.
 7. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the length of said abdominal band is adjustable.
 8. A method for posture control including the steps of placing the garment of claim 5 on a person's body, and adjusting the length of said bottom portion to provide the desired amount of vertical tension in the back of the garment.
 9. A method as in claim 8, further including the step of adjusting the waistband to provide greater slimming of the waistline. 